Publisher's Synopsis
""The Poor Clare"" is a novel written by Elizabeth Gaskell, first published in 1856. The story is set in the early 18th century, in a small town in England. The protagonist, Margaret, is a young woman who is forced to leave her home and family after her father dies, leaving her impoverished. She seeks refuge in a convent of Poor Clares, an order of nuns who live a life of poverty and seclusion.Margaret is initially hesitant about joining the convent, but she is drawn to the simple and peaceful life of the nuns. She becomes close friends with Sister Agnes, a kind and gentle nun who helps her adjust to her new life. Margaret also meets Father Clement, a young priest who is struggling with his own doubts and fears.As Margaret settles into her new life, she begins to uncover the secrets and scandals that lurk beneath the surface of the convent. She discovers that some of the nuns are not as pious as they appear, and that there are tensions and rivalries between them. Margaret also finds herself drawn to Father Clement, despite the fact that he is a priest and she is a nun.""The Poor Clare"" is a moving and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of faith, love, and sacrifice. It is a powerful portrait of a woman's struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that is often harsh and unforgiving. Gaskell's vivid descriptions of life in a convent are both fascinating and insightful, and her characters are complex and deeply human. Overall, ""The Poor Clare"" is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.She rose from her scat, and came and clutched at my arm and looked in my eyes. There she read, as I suppose, my utter ignorance of what had become of her child; for she went blindly back to her chair, and sat rocking herself and softly moaning, as if I were not there; I not daring to speak to the lone and awful woman. After a little pause, she knelt down before the picture of Our Lady of the Holy Heart, and spoke to her by all the fanciful and poetic names of the Litany.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.